St. John Fisher College to host an Irish famine remembrance event called "A Rochester Irish Gathering"
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St. John Fisher College, in Rochester, NY will host an Irish famine remembrance event called ‘A Rochester Irish Gathering’ beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday May 19.

The day will kick off with a famine remembrance Mass at 10 a.m. at Fisher’s Coleman Chapel, followed by a procession to the Famine Memorial on the campus and remarks from representatives of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

A keynote address will be made by Christine Kinealy, a famine expert who is a history professor at Drew University and author of a book about the famine.

The event also will include the presentation of the Rochester Chapter of the Irish American Cultural Institute Eoin McKiernan Founder’s Award to
Noel Kilkenny, the Consul General of Ireland.

After a buffet luncheon featuring music from Irish folk singer Mary McPartlan, a variety of workshop breakout sessions will take place during the afternoon.

Presenters will include Kinealy and McPartlan, along with local experts on Irish history, genealogy, music and literature. The day will end with readings from The Flight of the Wretched: A Journey to the New World, a historical fiction work by Rochester author Mike McCarthy.

The day long event is open to the public. Registration is required no later than May 10 and admission is $35 per person. Payment, made to the Rochester IACI, should be sent to Gail Kindlon, 320 Chelmsford Road, Rochester NY 14618. For more information or to register, email at jrosenberry@sjfc.edu.